Phil Sakala-- 3:38!

Proof:

http://www.servnet.be/buyle/event018h02.html

Is he running professionally as his military obligation? Anyone that knows him know what the deal with that is?

what were his pr's before this? Awesome run.

hand timed or what? somehow i doubt everyone ran times that end in XX.X0

Phil got ripped off at the Oly trials and wasn't allowed to race. He is still running for the WCAP and decided to take his good form to Europe and post some new PB's. Great to see a good guy who works hard have some success after a tought year. Great Job Phil.

Met him in San Jose before a 5k. Totally good guy. Glad to see his is running well this summer. He has very good range. Ran the 5k in 14:0x. With sub 1:47 or so speed and 3:38 now...definitely a national caliber runner. Good to see he will be at the US Championships for sure next year with the 3:38 to his credit.

Mike

Philballs!!!! Awesome job brother!!! Proud of ya.

Nate

CS runner wrote:

Phil got ripped off at the Oly trials and wasn't allowed to race.

How did he get "ripped off"? He didn't make the field of 30, how is that being ripped off?

MikeM wrote: With sub 1:47 or so speed and 3:38 now...definitely a national caliber runner.

When/Where did he go sub 1:47?

I believe he said he ran 1:47...so sub 1:47 or thereabouts. I am thinking that with 3:38 this summer he is certainly capable with his speed and endurance. We will most likely find out since it is more than likely he will run an 800 this summer. His range and ability remind me a lot of Leer and he has run 1:47 low. Phil is a bit speedier though. We shall see though. Hope he continues to drop his times. A super nice guy for sure.

I know when he lived in Tulsa...before being in CO Springs he ran 1:48.8 and then after leaving must have run 1:47. I just saw him this year, so OK was about 2 years ago.

Mike

I train with Phil here in Colorado Springs and knew his sub 3:40 was coming, his workouts were outstanding and should have run in the trials, you will see more from him. He ran 1:48 in Canada this year and won two 1500m in 3:44 and 3:41, respectively. He and I were in Texas doing a WCAP mission and he ran a 4:04 mile at the Texas Relays in his season opener. 3:38 is not surpising and more should have noticed that time.

Nate

If he is in the army, doesn't that mean he'll end up in Iraq or Iran in couple years instead?

This is a fantastic run for Phil after a tough year.

Can and will run quicker. 3:38 is no suprise. Great job Phil.

This is a fantastic run for Phil after a tough year.

Can and will run quicker. 3:38 is no suprise. Great job Phil.

Great...a 3:38 when everyone else in his class is in either Iraq or Afghanistan. I got it now...."Duty, Honor, Track, and Me!"

Never heard of him

Bullshit... you don't get your 10-days unless your currently serving a 12-15 month tour. That said, its good to see him getting in the fight versus the rest of the WCAP malingerers. Stupid program for the nation at war.

Regarding Lickety Split's "you don't get your 10-days:" All U.S. military personnel - regardless of rank - earn 30 days of leave per year. Granted, those stationed in combat zones don't have the luxury of taking leave whenever they want. However, as a 2006 commissionee, Lt. Sakala could be expected to undergo stateside combat or support training for a year or two before deploying overseas. One of my former runners (Josh Connor) is a West Point graduate who flight-trained in the U.S. before taking assignment as a helicopter pilot in Iraq. I'm not sure how they do it in the Army, but some Air Force officers (e.g. 8:24 steepler Bret Hyde) juggled 80-mile weeks with full-time duty.

-Gary Droze

Maclay School

USAF Academy '83

as someone else already pointed out soliders acquire 2 and a half leave days each month, reguardless of whether they are stateside or deployed to a combat zone...also if he was doing a 15 month tour in iraq he would recieve a minimum of one 18 day period of rest and recovery along with the possibility of a small 4 day R and R...I know this as I am a serving in Iraq right now. So lickety split, get your facts straight before you get on here running your mouth.